The Hindu celebration of lights, Diwali, is coming up this Monday, October 20th. It’s becoming more and more common for Hindus to invite Christian friends to Diwali celebrations, but would attending a Diwali celebration compromise your faith?
How should Christians navigate this and explain the truth to those who celebrate Diwali? We know that Jesus is the ultimate source of Light, so can there be a tie-in to a celebration of lights? Or is this a case where we need to draw a firm line, as this article states?
yeah, go check it out. i very much disagree with the ending of the article saying “Attending a celebration would involve the acknowledgment and worship of a false god, the honoring of false gods, and this we cannot do.” you dont have to acknowlege or worship thier gods. just experience cultural diversity.
its like having a japanese friend (i do) invite you over for authentic food (she has) but declining because its not your usual food choice (i’ve never done this).
being christian or not shouldnt be a factor. what should be concidered is “as a person, should you experiece other people and cultures?” YES!
i’ve been to a cherry blossom festival. there were shrines and prayers. not once did i think ‘oh they have other gods i should pray to and believe in’ i just experienced a culture and learned. so why not experince and learn about people? why box youself into…for lack of a better term, chirstian privalage? god wants us to experince life, so go see diwali, go to celtic festivals, party in little china for chinese new year, experience life then thank god for giving you this life at this time to enjoy it
As Christians, we’re called to love our neighbors and show kindness but also to guard against participating in anything that honors other gods (Exodus 20:3). Watching a cultural event is one thing. Joining in worship or rituals is another. It’s not about fear or superiority. It’s about faithfulness to Christ.
you are right. maybe my delivery wasnt persice but yes. see i didnt participate in the worship at the cherry blossom festival. i played with fire works. i didnt say thier prayers but i did mine over the amazing food and abilty to see such an event. its like going to different churches. i went with friends but when they prayed or did one of those call/respond services (dont really know what its called where the minster says something then the people respond as one) i observed. after i asked questions but didnt join. i think thats the difference. explore an event but speak with the people and explain that while your there to support/observe/experience you wont participate in speficic rituals or prayer and ask where you can stand to watch and not interfer. i personly wouldnt preach to them as to why. 99% of the time they’ll understand without needing an explination.
im sure he didnt ask to be disrespectful to your religon i dont think it is a bad thing to go becase you do not have worship when they do you can pray to your god but outta respect he asked you to go and wanted you to see what their culture is like but its always good to have second opinon so good post much respect to all comments
That’s a good example. I tend to agree with you, but it can be such a tricky issue. I always think of the 1 Cor. 8 discussion of food sacrificed to idols where Paul basically says that it is not a sin to use your Christian liberty to do these things, but we need to be mindful that other Christians may have different convictions and we need to make sure we don’t cause them to stumble.
too true. at the end of it all it comes down to intent. if i invited someone to an event it should not be a cover to change someones convictions. i tell others let people be who they want as long as no harm comes of it. if people come to me with questions i’ll answer but a gathering is just a gathering. we should be mindful of others.